Mung Beans vs Lentils: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Lentils contain more protein at 9.0 g compared to 7.5 g in mung beans. Mung beans have fewer calories, with 105 calories compared to 114 calories in lentils.

Mung beans and lentils are both nutritious legumes that offer various health benefits. This comparison will highlight their differences in calories, protein, and other nutrients.

What Is the Difference Between Mung Beans and Lentils?

Mung beans are small, green legumes that are commonly used in Asian cuisine. They are rich in protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. Lentils are lens-shaped legumes that come in various colors, including green, brown, and red. They are a good source of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.

Mung Beans vs Lentils: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of mung beans and lentils based on their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Mung beans (cooked)	Lentils (cooked)
Calories	105 kcal	114 kcal
Protein	7.5 g	9.0 g
Carbs	18.3 g	19.5 g
Sugar	2.0 g	1.8 g
Fat	0.6 g	0.4 g
Fiber	6.4 g	7.9 g
Sodium	7 mg	238 mg

Which Is Better, Mung Beans or Lentils?

For weight loss: Mung beans have 105 calories per 100 g, while lentils have 114 calories. Therefore, mung beans are slightly lower in calories.

For muscle and protein: Lentils provide 9.0 g of protein, which is higher than the 7.5 g found in mung beans. This makes lentils a better choice for protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Mung beans contain 18.3 g of carbohydrates and 2.0 g of sugar, while lentils have 19.5 g of carbohydrates and 1.8 g of sugar. Mung beans are slightly lower in both categories.

How to Track Mung beans and Lentils Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macro distributions when comparing different foods. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, mung beans or lentils?

Lentils have 9.0 g of protein, while mung beans have 7.5 g. Therefore, lentils contain more protein.

Which has fewer calories, mung beans or lentils?

Mung beans have 105 calories, while lentils have 114 calories. Mung beans have fewer calories.

What is the fiber content in mung beans?

Mung beans contain 6.4 g of fiber per 100 g.

What is the fiber content in lentils?

Lentils contain 7.9 g of fiber per 100 g.

How much sugar is in mung beans?

Mung beans have 2.0 g of sugar per 100 g.

How much sodium is in lentils?

Lentils contain 238 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Mung beans have 105 calories per 100 g.
• Lentils have 114 calories per 100 g.
• Mung beans provide 7.5 g of protein.
• Lentils provide 9.0 g of protein.
• Mung beans contain 6.4 g of fiber.
• Lentils contain 7.9 g of fiber.